Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Methods utilizing a tethered buoyant body to retrieve a mobile platform from a tank containing a hazardous substance
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Application No.: US16766642Application Date: 2018-12-15
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Publication No.: US11415566B2Publication Date: 2022-08-16
- Inventor: John W. Meyers , Joseph A. Daily , Robert T. Effinger, IV , Donald A. Pontrelli , David L. Cheuvront , James Todd Lovelace , Ronald Gillory , David John Cassimatis
- Applicant: TANKBOTS, INC.
- Applicant Address: US TX Houston
- Assignee: TANKBOTS, INC.
- Current Assignee: TANKBOTS, INC.
- Current Assignee Address: US TX Houston
- Agency: Mossman, Kumar & Tyler, P.C.
- Priority: WOPCT/US2017/06758 20171215
- International Application: PCT/US2018/065888 WO 20181215
- International Announcement: WO2019/118950 WO 20190620
- Main IPC: G01N33/18
- IPC: G01N33/18 ; G01N29/22 ; G05D1/00 ; G01M5/00 ; G01N35/00 ; G01N21/95 ; G01N21/954 ; G01N29/265 ; G01S13/89 ; G01S17/89

Abstract:
A method of retrieving a mobile platform from a tank having a hatch and at least partially filled with a non-conductive, energetic substance includes configuring the mobile platform to include at least a retrieval system disposed at least partially on an enclosure. The retrieval system includes at least: a primary tether connected to a buoyant body and to the enclosure, and a secondary tether connected to the buoyant body and to the enclosure. The method further includes: predetermining a buoyant body retrieval zone within the tank, and positioning a released buoyant body within the buoyant body retrieval zone by using the primary tether. The method also includes retrieving the primary tether by using the buoyant body; using the primary tether to release the secondary tether; and inserting a retrieval member through the hatch to retrieve the buoyant body, the primary tether, and/or the secondary tether.
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